Violeta (Vi) Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the department of psychology. Some of her research interests include health equity, psychometrics and measurement, and developmental psychopathology. She focuses on understanding and addressing health disparities among underserved youth and families, improving health outcome measurement, and developing effective health programs using community-based research methods.
In this interview, Vi Rodriguez discusses her research focusing on creating reliable and culturally meaningful parenting assessments for ethnoracially diverse families. She highlights her collaborative approach, which includes working with community organizations and interdisciplinary scholars, and shares excitement for a new study on parenting practices among diverse parents.
What are your main research interests?
My primary research interests focus on developing and validating parenting assessments that are reliable and culturally meaningful for ethnoracially diverse parents. I use advanced psychometric methods in combination with community-based research to create tools that reflect real-world parenting experiences. My goal is to better understand how parenting practices relate to parent and child well-being and to produce assessments that are useful in both research and applied settings.
How do you see your work connecting with others for collaboration?
Collaboration is at the heart of my work. I regularly partner with community organizations, clinicians, and interdisciplinary scholars to ensure that my research is grounded, relevant, and responsive to families’ needs. These collaborations lead to shared learning and the co-creation of research agendas that can have a meaningful impact. I’ve grown so much through these partnerships and continue to value the relationships they build.
What is something you’re passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m passionate about baking and weightlifting. One of my proudest accomplishments is mastering macarons—an intricate and rewarding challenge. Baking helps me unwind and express creativity, while weightlifting gives me a sense of strength, structure, and mental clarity.
What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
The best advice I’ve received is, “Be intentional about your ‘yes’ and protective about your ‘no.’” It’s helped me manage my time and energy in a way that aligns with my goals and values, and has encouraged me to make thoughtful choices about how I show up in my work and life.
What are you most excited about in your research this year?
This year, I’m especially excited about launching a large-scale study with ethnoracially diverse parents. The study includes data from both parents and children and combines surveys, interviews, and daily assessments to better understand parenting in everyday life. I’m eager to see how the findings can inform more inclusive and accurate ways to assess parenting and support families.
What drives your interest in this area of research?
I’m driven by a deep respect for the diversity of family experiences and a commitment to creating tools that reflect that richness. I believe research should be inclusive, actionable, and grounded in the lived experiences of the people it’s meant to serve.